Driven

This week, our special guests open up about the sometimes difficult to navigate dynamics of running a family business in the distribution industry. While so many companies are going through mergers and acquisitions, as new generations move away from the traditional takeover of the business, some companies like Spruce Industries are doubling down, as the newer generations are taking the reins and leading the company into the future successfully. In this episode of Driven by DCKAP, Karthik Chidambaram, Founder & CEO of DCKAP, speaks with Hank Josephs and his two sons, Daniel Josephs and Michael Josephs - respectively the President, CEO and CFO of Spruce Industries. They discuss the challenges and advantages of running a family business, what to do and what not to do, including how to successfully navigate the difficult roads, the importance of keeping open communication, and the best way to steer the company into the future.

In this episode of Driven by DCKAP, we’re excited to have Brendan Breen, the CEO of ISA (Industrial Supply Association) as our guest, where we learn about his in-depth experience and dedication to educating and supporting the industrial distribution industry. Karthik Chidambaram, Founder & CEO of DCKAP, speaks one on one with Brendan about his work-life experience and career journey, how he came to lead ISA, what this organization stands for, and why it’s important for distributors to be members. Tune in to better understand how to be driven in leadership, the importance of partnership and strategy, and the great value in what a leading channel association can bring to the table.

In the 2024 premiere episode of the Driven by DCKAP podcast, we welcome a very special guest – Tammy Miller, the Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota. With a well established background as a highly successful leader in the distribution industry, having been the CEO of the sixth-largest electrical distributor in the US, Border States, Tammy has carved out a unique path in her career as she has transitioned into working in the public sector. It is an inspirational journey that allows her to make an impact and influence others who may not only seek to improve the distribution industry but to take part in helping make the world a better place. Join us, as podcast host, Karthik Chidambaram, the Founder & CEO of DCKAP, engages in this stimulating conversation with the venerable Tammy Miller. We learn more about her humble roots, her upbringing and early aspirations, the longevity of her transitional career path, from accounting, to leadership in distribution, and her many accomplishments while in government, and we gain key insights into her success, growth and drive. Today, she takes all she has learned throughout her amazing journey in order to serve the people in her state with purpose, to guide the advancement of North Dakota, and to help lead our country into the future.

For the last episode of the year, we turn back time to review the 2023 season of the Driven by DCKAP podcast. We’ve had some great conversations with amazing guests that we’ve been privileged to share with our followers, and we’re honored to have had them all on the show to share their experiences and expertise. In this special episode, Karthik Chidambaram, Driven podcast host and the Founder & CEO of DCKAP, narrates his personal experience with hosting these interviews, while taking a look back and reflecting on the journey of the podcast, sharing some of the standout moments he experienced while interviewing our guests, as he laments on the new year to come. We’re excited to continue the Driven podcast well into 2024, with a great lineup of industry experts and inspiring leaders who will share their stories, offer insights on what they’ve learned along their journey, and inspire others who might learn from them to pave their own way to success. Subscribe and follow along as we elevate the podcast into a brand new year ahead. From all of us here at the Driven by DCKAP podcast, we wish everyone a Happy Holidays and a very Happy New Year!

In this episode, we review “Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World” by Cal Newport. In this book, Newport argues that those who perform ‘deep work’ are more productive and are able to produce more efficiently than those who do not. In a distracted world, those who are able to resist distraction and work with the right amount of intensity and focus will be better situated to achieve success and find true satisfaction. What is ‘deep work’, how does it improve your ability to compete and succeed in such a competitive world, and what does it mean for personal accomplishment? Why do we struggle with so much distraction in the modern age, and how can we overcome those distractions to be more focused and productive? Who is this book meant for, and why should you read it? We answer these questions and more in this episode, so be sure to tune in!

The special guest in this episode is known for the art of speaking and storytelling, being a highly sought after public speaker and having hosted dozens of in depth discussions through his traveling platform, We Supply America. As a well-known figure in the distribution world, an entrepreneur, researcher, author, and the Founder of UnleashedWD, Dirk Beveridge understands and embraces this industry, and he is driven to support and spotlight distributors. In this episode of the Driven by DCKAP podcast, Dirk sits down with Karthik Chidambaram, Founder & CEO of DCKAP, to talk about his mission in life, the importance of distribution and why it’s necessary to utilize innovative strategies in the digital age, taking a look into his own personal journey and the upward trajectory of his career. We learn more about the driving force behind Dirk’s efforts and why he feels so passionately about working in the distribution industry. Through We Supply America, a program which began to hit the road soon after Dirk’s napkin-scrawled idea was formed in 2020, this heartfelt mission was created - to highlight relevant stories and the amazing people behind hundreds of inspiring distribution companies. Now, after its third season, Dirk has many stories to share and even more motivation to continue to bring the human aspect of distribution businesses to the forefront, to share moments of great innovation and success, and to help others be led by purpose.

In this new series on the Driven by DCKAP podcast, we turn the spotlight on the books that have inspired us, as well as undoubtedly thousands of readers, many of which have come up during past interviews with guests here on this podcast. Each month, Founder & CEO of DCKAP and the host of the Driven podcast, Karthik Chidambaram, will highlight an important text in his own library that has the profound ability to help shape your business growth strategy, stoke your entrepreneurial spirit, or inspire your personal journey. In this episode, we review “10x Is Easier Than 2x: How World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less” written by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. This book offers tips and strategies for entrepreneurs who want to achieve more by doing less, with the proposition that working harder and longer can help you achieve more by focusing on the unique strengths you have and focusing on the best ways to amplify your impact. Why is it more important to focus on strengths instead of trying to improve weaknesses? How does celebrating your accomplishments, big or small, and taking the time to reflect on how far you’ve come help to increase your growth? Who is this book really for, and why should you read it? We answer these questions and more in this episode, so be sure to tune in!

In this episode, our guest Mark Lavelle joins Karthik Chidambaram for a conversation that spans a wide breadth of the e-commerce world, as they dive deep into Mark’s background and break down the formation of his successful leadership style, the challenges Magento faced when Mark first came on board as CEO, and the question of its sustained significance in the industry. While there were many hurdles that Magento had to face that may have caused some uncertainty in its future, Mark led a heartfelt crusade that helped to solidify its success and a path that ultimately led to its acquisition by Adobe. Today, along with many other investments and projects he heads with the group DeepLake Capital, Mark has taken on the role of CEO at Maegro, a fast growing company that connects shippers and brands of any size to a large network of carriers that helps them compete with the illusive Amazon model of providing 2-3 day delivery times in the direct to consumer market. What drives Mark Lavelle in his career, who does he take inspiration from, and what led him to be the great leader that he is today? Why did he feel so passionately about the Magento project, what was his vision for its future, what were some of the barriers to overcome, and how did he ultimately help the company accomplish the goals for success that were set forth? Listen to this episode to find out the answers to these questions, and more!

In his previous life, Roy Rubin co-founded and held the reins as CEO of Magento, a globally successful open source ecommerce platform that skyrocketed and soared across the world from its inception to its ultimate acquisition by the tech giant, Adobe. In his recent conversation with Karthik Chidambaram, Founder and CEO of DCKAP, we learn all about Roy’s amazing journey, his standout vision and strategy for ultimate success, and what he’s doing now. There are a lot of lessons to be learned, from feeling things out during their starting steps, to the largely organic growth that surrounded the product, to the rapidly changing environment of ecommerce throughout the entire journey of building Magento, and what he did to help forge the path ahead. While his hard work and leadership was no doubt vital to catapulting the success of the brand and bolstering the creation of the world-renowned platform it has become today, Roy humbly refers to the robust community and the ultimate power of organic growth as its number one driving force. Today, as the founding partner of R-Squared Ventures, Roy utilizes all the passion and knowledge that he’s gained working in the industry to offer advice and invest in various up-and-coming companies. He continues to inspire with his ongoing mission to take risks and support strong and creative teams in a wide variety of fields that are ready to rise up and disrupt the industry. Books mentioned in this podcast: Destined for War by Graham Allison The Escape Artist by Jonathan Freedland The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma

The National Association of Wholesaler Distributors (NAW) is a top American trade association that represents dynamic companies in the wholesale distribution industry. In this compelling conversation, President & CEO of NAW, Eric Hoplin, sits down with the Founder & CEO of DCKAP, Karthik Chidambaram, to discuss his role in leadership and how exactly his organization helps support and improve the distribution industry. From his primary goal of ​​building the next generation trade association, to his loaded travel schedule meeting with members, and his lobbying for governmental support and legislative actions that will help the distribution industry thrive, Eric provides deep insights that give a clear picture of just how pertinent an organization like NAW is for the industry. Distributors are building great companies that keep the supply chain moving and the economy growing, and having this kind of representation is vital to ensuring they continue to thrive and succeed.

On this episode of Driven, our very special guest knows what it takes to drive success, having led their company to becoming the 2023 Top Rated Ecommerce Platform. Brent Bellm, CEO of BigCommerce, joins the Founder & CEO of DCKAP, Karthik Chidambaram, for a fascinating deep dive into what it takes to compete, lead, and succeed in the often saturated world of eCommerce technology. From his humble background and learned experiences, to his business savvy and forward thinking strategies, Brent shares how he targets competitors, manages evolution, and the position BigCommerce takes in the market. His insights will show that, while many companies might execute well or have a great culture as a pillar of their success, alone it is not as effective, and strategy is one of the most important things that helped BigCommerce to really thrive.

This episode of the DRIVEN Podcast features great insights into the National Association of Electronic Distribution: an over hundred-year effort towards the continued success of the industry. Hear from Edward Orlet, Interim CEO, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs & Strategic Projects, and Satya Sanivarapu, Technology Director, Digital Distribution Supply Chain as they share more about the association's purpose, its mission for the near future and how NAED helps distributors better navigate the technology best suited for their challenges.

Kevin Kalish is the Vice President of Business Development at Sunrise Electric Supply. With a strong background in data-driven software development, he oversees sales management and digital solutions that help support their customers in electrical distribution. In this insightful interview with Karthik Chidambaram, Founder & CEO of DCKAP, Kevin talks about the journey he’s taken in his career, the importance of data in distribution, and how tech plays a critical role in ecommerce, helping to improve sales and elevate customer success.

Kicking off the new season of Driven is our special guest, Lisa Pope, President at Epicor, to join us for a deep dive into her career and the focus and strategy that drives her success. Before her role at Epicor, Lisa’s impressive background also included holding strategic leadership roles at Infor, QAD, and Oracle, driving growth and the shift to SaaS. In this exclusive interview with Karthik Chidambaram, Founder & CEO of DCKAP, Lisa reveals what she is most passionate about, what goes into developing high-performing sales teams, how she sees the future of the distribution industry, and much more.

Matt Johnson is the Marketing Manager & IT Admin at Jendco Safety, and he recently sat down with DCKAP’s Founder and CEO, Karthik Chidambaram, for a conversation that spans the inception of the company itself, up to their most recent digital transformation to amplify their online sales through integration with Cloras and the 3M Marketplace. From the path of success Jendco Safety has experienced in distributing safety supplies over the years, to sharing insights on the future of the industry and the advent of online marketplaces, their conversation offers many insights to those seeking the next step on their growth path. They touch upon insights in marketing with manufacturers and distributors and why it’s so important to build and solidify an e-commerce presence in order to compete in the market and succeed. Read more about the work we did with Jendco Safety through Cloras here: https://cloras.com/customer-stories/jendco-safety-supply/ Bio: Matt Johnson is the Marketing Manager and IT Admin at Jendco Safety, a second-generation family owned and operated distributor of PPE and industrial supplies in Columbus, Ohio. In this role, Matt oversees and implements all marketing and IT initiatives among other responsibilities. Prior to Jendco, Matt has served in digital marketing roles for over 12 years and over 15 in IT. Matt is a self-taught professional and professed Geek.

Chris Brackett is the Vice President of Operations & General Manager at C.W. Hayden, and he recently sat down with DCKAP’s Founder and CEO, Karthik Chidambaram. Their conversation spans through the incredible journey Chris has had within the company, into the mindset they hold on early adoption of technology, their most recent integration with Cloras to help connect their 3M Marketplace with Epicor P21, and more! With their long standing experience in the distribution space, Chris explains how each decision they’ve made in order to continue to grow, and to not only follow the growth of technology but to stay ahead of it, signifies one of their greatest pillars of strength. The discussion epitomizes the benefits of digital transformation and highlights how important technology really is for future growth and why it’s so important that B2B distributors adapt to e-commerce in order to not get left behind. Bio: Chris Brackett is the VP of Operations at C.W. Hayden, a third-generation family-owned Marine, Industrial and Safety Distributor based out of New England. In his current role, Chris runs the company’s day to day operations and is also leading the way in the company’s technology and digital transformations projects, including bringing on their first CRM (Salesforce), integrating it to their ERP system, going completely cloud base with Epicor P21, and upgrading their Magento website. Show Links: Read more about the work we did with C.W. Hayden through Cloras here: https://cloras.com/customer-stories/c-w-hayden/

Danny Silverman is the Vice President of Strategy and Innovation at Maintex, and he recently sat down with DCKAP’s Founder and CEO, Karthik Chidambaram, for a conversation that goes back over the history of the company itself, up into their most recent use of software and technology to amplify their online sales through integration with Cloras and the revolutionary process of digital transformation. From the continuous growth and success of Maintex, to how he envisions the future of the JanSan industry itself, their conversation offers many insights to those seeking similar success. They touch upon how important technology really is for future growth and why it’s so important that B2B distributors adapt to e-commerce in order to thrive. Guest Bio Danny Silverman is the VP of Strategy and Innovation at Maintex, a third-generation family-owned janitorial distributor and cleaning chemical manufacturer headquartered in Los Angeles. In this role, Danny leads the company’s technology and digital efforts among other responsibilities. Prior to Maintex, Danny worked as a systems engineer in both academia and industry. Danny holds a BA in American Studies from Brandeis University. Show Links and References here.

Erin Griffin is the V.P. of Marketing & Communications at Riddell, and she recently sat down with DCKAP’s Founder and CEO, Karthik Chidambaram, for a conversation that touches upon the history of the company and their most recent evolution into the world of online sales through digital transformation. From the importance of women in sports and leadership roles, to the support of brand ambassadors like Peyton Manning, and effective marketing and communications between departments that helped Riddell to remain competitive and continue to innovate, their conversation helps bring the story of football and technology to life. Show Notes and References: hereErin's bio

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